Police Drone Surveillance Measure Crashes In Illinois House

Illinois lawmakers on Friday rejected legislation that would have loosened restriction on how police use drone surveillance. It was meant to help law enforcement keep tabs on large crowds.

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In this case, “large crowds” mean at least 100 people gathering for a public or private event. Supporters say such drone surveillance could prevent another mass shooting like the one in Las Vegas.

While the measure was a bipartisan idea, it drew criticism from both sides of the aisle, though.

“This is a disturbing extension of surveillance, it can be misused in so many ways,” said Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago)

Another lawmaker, Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock), called the measure “Orwellian,” saying police could spy on crowds at will — without court supervision. Backers of the legislation say police would have to have a legitimate reason to launch a drone, like measuring crowd size.

State Representative Steve Andersson (R-Geneva) told the House floor the legislation casts too wide a net.

“100 people happens every day in Geneva during the summer," he explained. "We have an island park. There will be more than 100 people there every day. This is an invasion of privacy we don’t need."

It fell only six votes sort of passage, so lawmakers could reconsider the idea another day.

Illinois will regulate the use of drones by law enforcement under a bill signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn.

The Chicago Democrat signed the measure Tuesday. Quinn spokesman Grant Klinzman says the governor signed the law to protect people's right to privacy.

Drones are sophisticated, unmanned aircraft that authorities are considering for aerial surveillance. The law requires authorities to obtain a search warrant before using a drone to collect information.